Afghanistan

WOMANKIND has been supporting women in Afghanistan since 2003. Our programme covers Kabul, Jalalabad, Mazar and Peshawar where we work in partnership with three Afghan women’s organisations to promote women’s civil, social, economic and political participation and to address issues regarding violence against women.

The focus is on human rights – and civic education – both at grassroots and policy level, as well as community mobilisation – supporting women’s and girls’ active participation in society and giving women the practical skills and resources they need to take part in the rebuilding and development of Afghanistan after decades of conflict.

We also work with the support of community-based centres which offer women vocational skills and literacy training, health education and psycho-social support for those suffering from violence, exclusion and marginalisation.

In addition, Peace Education Programmes develop understanding of violence and conflict resolution – and work towards behavioural change at a household and community level.

Making A Difference

WOMANKIND’S partnership programmes touch the lives of over 2000 Afghan women and girls a year, providing practical support and encouragement to:

Learn about Afghanistan’s history, economy, politics and elections – and the key role they can play in the country’s future.
Access literacy and skills training, so that they have the basic skills and self-confidence to operate in society.
Teach women that they have equal worth to men within the Afghan Constitution, within International Law and within Islam.
Join together to act at a local and national level to tackle violence against women, to improve legislation and to work towards women’s full representation and participation in every aspect of Afghan society.

And such programmes have already made a significant difference:

1700 women have participated in Peace Education Workshops.
Over 300 women are benefiting from ongoing vocational training, health education and literacy programmes.
Over 150 girls are participating in youth groups to build their networks, knowledge, leadership and campaigning skills.
WOMANKIND’s partners are playing a key role in collecting data, reporting and developing legislation on Violence against Women.

As our 2006 report Taking Stock: Aghan Women and Girls Five Years On shows, six years after the fall of the Taliban, women and girls in Afghanistan are still suffering from pervasive Violence against Women, few civil and political rights and poor social and economic status. There is still much to do.

Why Afghanistan?

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